Heartstrings on Fire

“Agnes, don’t give me that sass,” Jared retorted, his voice a low growl. “Even if you don’t tell me, I can find out what kind of joint Eden Nights is. Do you really think it’s a place for you to be?”

“If you can be here, then why can’t I?” she shot back, her voice cold as ice. “If you’re so eager to know why I am here, then why don’t you start by telling me why you’re here?”

She was lying if she claimed she didn’t care. Deep down in her head, a voice was incessantly screaming, ‘Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask… but she couldn’t help herself

Jared stared at her, lips firmly pressed together, silent for what seemed like an eternity.

Agnes smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “See? You can’t answer that, can you? You’re no saint yourself, Jared. So why are you judging me with these high and mighty standards? Besides, I’m just your ex–wife, aren’t I? Even if I am a barmaid here, it’s my life and my choice. It doesn’t affect anyone else, let alone you.”

She knew what Jared was thinking, so she voiced his suspicions. His reaction was explosive.

not even pretending anymore? Was she

about how she

out, “I don’t believe

it, you’ve always believed it,” she challenged. “You just don’t want to accept it. Does it hurt your pride, Jared, to think that your ex–wife is working in a place like this? Let me be, Jared. Whatever I do, whoever I meet, it’s my life and my responsibility.

anger at Jared’s suspicions, she was furious with him for being here in the first place. And he

So, they were even.

people who no longer trusted each other, being

to mention having any lingering

if Alyssa wasn’t the one who caused her mother’s death the chasm between them, built over

they’d

they suddenly bridge that gap and smooth the